Foldable playard

ABSTRACT

A foldable playard includes a plurality of vertical tubes, a plurality of X-typed frames and a latching mechanism. Each vertical tube includes a bar member, a corner and a slider. The corner is affixed to top of the bar member. The slider is movably disposed on the bar member. Each of the X-typed frames is rotatably connected between two adjacent vertical tubes via the corner and the slider. The latching mechanism includes a latch body and a locking portion. The latch body includes a first end and a second end opposite to each other, and the first end being disposed on the corner of one vertical tube. The locking portion is disposed on the second end. The locking portion is adapted to engage with and disengage from one X-typed frame rotatably connected to the slider on the said vertical tube in response to motion of the latch body.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/987,412, filed on Aug. 7, 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/883,716 which was filed on Aug. 7,2019, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as iffully set forth.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a foldable playard, and moreparticularly, to a foldable playard having a simple and easy-to-operatefunction and a safe and effective operation.

2. Description of the Prior Art

There are various means of latching the X-typed frame of theconventional playard via the tubular members pivoted and arranged in acrossed pattern. The conventional latching operation of the X-typedframe is complicated and costly due to numerous components, or requiresmultiple steps for the consumer to fold and unfold the X-typed frame ofthe playard. Therefore, design of a foldable playard having a simple andeasy-to-operate function and a safe and effective operation is animportant issue in the related mechanical design industry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a foldable playard having a simple andeasy-to-operate function and a safe and effective operation for solvingabove drawbacks.

According to the claimed invention, a foldable playard includes aplurality of vertical tubes, a plurality of X-typed frames and alatching mechanism. Each vertical tube includes a bar member, a corner,and a slider. The corner is affixed to top of the bar member. The slideris movably disposed on the bar member. Each of the X-typed frames isrotatably connected between two adjacent vertical tubes via the cornerand the slider. The latching mechanism includes a latch body and alocking portion. The latch body includes a first end and a second endopposite to each other, and the first end being disposed on the cornerof one vertical tube. The locking portion is disposed on the second end.The locking portion is adapted to engage with and disengage from oneX-typed frame rotatably connected to the slider on the said verticaltube in response to motion of the latch body.

According to the claimed invention, the latch body is a flexible latchaffixed to the corner, engagement and disengagement of the lockingportion and the said X-typed frame is actuated by deformation of theflexible latch.

According to the claimed invention, the locking portion is an arcstructure, and a dimension of the arc structure is matched with adiameter of the X-typed frame.

According to the claimed invention, the locking portion is a hookstructure adapted to hold a bottom surface of the said X-typed frame.

According to the claimed invention, the latch body is a rotatable latchpivoted to the corner, engagement and disengagement of the lockingportion and the said X-typed frame is actuated by rotation of therotatable latch.

According to the claimed invention, the locking portion is a crookstructure adapted to catch the said X-typed frame.

According to the claimed invention, the latching mechanism furtherincludes a releasing portion disposed on the second end and adapted tobe applied by an external force for actuating the latch body.

According to the claimed invention, the latching mechanism furtherincludes a lead-in portion connected to the locking portion and adaptedto slidably contact against the X-typed frame for bending the latchbody.

According to the claimed invention, the locking portion includes a firstlocking structure, and the X-typed frame comprises a second lockingstructure detachably locking with the first locking structure.

According to the claimed invention, the first locking structure is acavity and the second locking structure is an extrusion, or the firstlocking structure is the extrusion and the second locking structure isthe cavity.

According to the claimed invention, a foldable playard includes aplurality of vertical tubes, a plurality of X-typed frames and alatching mechanism. Each vertical tube includes a bar member, a cornerand a slider. The corner is affixed to top of the bar member. The slideris movably disposed on the bar member. Each of the X-typed framesincludes an inner member and an outer member crossed to each other andis rotatably connected between two adjacent vertical tubes via thecorner and the slider. The latching mechanism includes a first housing,a second housing and a locking gear. The first housing has a firstengaging portion and a first locking portion, and the first engagingportion is engaged with the outer member. The second housing has asecond engaging portion, and is rotatably assembled with the firsthousing. The second engaging portion is engaged with the inner member.The locking gear has a second locking portion, and is movably disposedbetween the first housing and the second housing. The first lockingportion and the second locking portion are engaged with and disengagedfrom each other in response to motion of the locking gear.

According to the claimed invention, the latching mechanism furtherincludes a resilient component disposed between the second housing andthe locking gear, and a resilient recovering force of the resilientcomponent pushes the locking gear toward the first housing for engagingthe first locking portion with the second locking portion.

According to the claimed invention, the latching mechanism furtherincludes a releasing portion movably disposed on the first housing, anda protrusion of the releasing portion detachably inserts into a hole onthe first housing to separate the second locking portion from the firstlocking portion.

According to the claimed invention, the inner member and the outermember are pivoted to rotate the second housing relative to the firsthousing via the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion,so as to align the second locking portion with the first lockingportion.

According to the claimed invention, a foldable playard includes aplurality of vertical tubes, a plurality of X-typed frames and alatching mechanism. Each vertical tube includes a bar member, a cornerand a slider. The corner is affixed to top of the bar member. The slideris movably disposed on the bar member. Each of the X-typed frames isrotatably connected between two adjacent vertical tubes via the cornerand the slider. The latching mechanism includes a latch body and anactuator. The latch body is movably disposed on one X-typed frame andadapted to engage with and disengage from a cavity formed on the barmember of one vertical tube. The actuator is coupled to the latch bodyand disposed on the X-typed frame and adapted to be actuated by anexternal force for moving the latch body relative to the bar member.

According to the claimed invention, the latching mechanism furtherincludes a resilient component, and two ends of the resilient componentare respectively connected to the X-typed frame and the latch body.

According to the claimed invention, the said X-typed frame is pivoted tothe slider of the said vertical tube via a shaft, and the latch bodycomprises a track assembled with the shaft in a slidable and rotatablemanner.

According to the claimed invention, the latch body is protruded from thesaid X-typed frame to insert into the cavity, and is disposed inside thesaid X-typed frame to separate from the cavity.

According to the claimed invention, a foldable playard includes aplurality of vertical tubes, a plurality of X-typed frames and alatching mechanism. Each vertical tube includes a bar member, a cornerand a slider. The corner is affixed to top of the bar member. The slideris movably disposed on the bar member. Each of the X-typed frames isrotatably connected between two adjacent vertical tubes via the cornerand the slider. The latching mechanism includes a latch body and alocking portion. The latch body is affixed to one X-typed frame androtatably assembled with the slider of one vertical tube. The lockingportion is stretched from the latch body. The locking portion is adaptedto engage with and disengage from the slider in response to rotation ofthe latch body relative to the slider.

According to the claimed invention, the latching mechanism furtherincludes a releasing portion disposed on the locking portion and adaptedto be applied by an external force for deforming the locking portion.

According to the claimed invention, a notch is formed on a bottomsurface of the slider, and the locking portion is flexible to engagewith and disengage from the notch.

According to the claimed invention, a foldable playard includes aplurality of vertical tubes, a plurality of X-typed frames and alatching mechanism. Each vertical tube includes a bar member, a cornerand a slider. The corner is affixed to top of the bar member. The slideris movably disposed on the bar member. Each of the X-typed frames isrotatably connected between two adjacent vertical tubes via the cornerand the slider. The latching mechanism includes a latch body and alocking portion. The latch body includes a first end and a second endopposite to each other, and the first end is affixed to the slider ofone vertical tube. The locking portion is disposed on the second end.The locking portion is adapted to engage with and disengage from thecorner of the said vertical tube in response to deformation of the latchbody.

According to the claimed invention, the latching mechanism furtherincludes a releasing portion disposed on the second end and adapted tobe applied by an external force for bending the latch body.

According to the claimed invention, the corner includes a locked portionmatched with the locking portion of the latching mechanism, the lockingportion is a notch and the locked portion is a protrusion, or thelocking portion is the protrusion and the locked portion is the notch.

According to the claimed invention, a foldable playard includes aplurality of vertical tubes, a plurality of X-typed frames and alatching mechanism. Each vertical tube includes a bar member, a cornerand a slider. The corner is affixed to top of the bar member. The slideris movably disposed on the bar member. Each of the X-typed framesincludes an inner member and an outer member crossed to each other androtatably connected between two adjacent vertical tubes via the cornerand the slider. The latching mechanism includes a latch body and alocking portion. The latch body includes a first end and a second endopposite to each other, and the first end being disposed on the innermember of one X-typed frame. The locking portion is disposed on thesecond end. The locking portion is adapted to engage with and disengagefrom the outer member of the said X-typed frame in response to motion ofthe latch body.

Structural relation between the vertical tube and the X-typed frame inthe unfolded mode and the parallel mode are suitable for all embodimentsof the foldable playard in the present invention. Arrangement of thelatching mechanism of each embodiment can be different from the latchingmechanism of other embodiments in accordance with the design demand. Inthe first embodiment, the foldable playard disposes the latchingmechanism on the corner of the vertical tube, and the latching mechanismcan be bent and deformed to utilize the arc structure of the lockingportion to engage with and disengage from the X-typed frame. In thesecond embodiment, the foldable playard disposes the latching mechanismon the corner of the vertical tube for engaging with and disengagingfrom the X-typed frame; however, the locking portion of the latchingmechanism can be shaped as the hook structure, rather than the arcstructure in the first embodiment. In the third embodiment, the foldableplayard disposes the latching mechanism on the corner of the verticaltube for engaging with and disengaging from the X-typed frame, and thelatch body of the latching mechanism can be bent and deformed to engagewith and disengage from the locking portion and the X-typed frame, whichmeans the cavity of the locking portion can lock or unlock the extrusionof the X-typed frame.

In the fourth embodiment, the foldable playard disposes the latchingmechanism on the corner of the vertical tube, and the latch body of thelatching mechanism can be rotated and utilize the crook structure of thelocking portion to engage with and disengage from the X-typed frame. Inthe fifth embodiment, the foldable playard disposes the latchingmechanism on the X-typed frame, to lock and unlock rotation between theinner member and the outer member of the X-typed frame, so as to unfoldand fold the foldable playard. In the sixth embodiment, the foldableplayard disposes the latching mechanism on the X-typed frame forengaging with and disengaging from the vertical tube, and the latch bodyof the latching mechanism is slidably disposed inside the X-typed frame.

In the seventh embodiment, the foldable playard disposes the latchingmechanism on the X-typed frame for engaging with and disengaging fromthe vertical tube, and the latch body of the latching mechanism isrotatably disposed on the X-typed frame. In the eighth embodiment, thefoldable playard disposes the latching mechanism on the slider forengaging with and disengaging from the corner of the vertical tube, soas to constrain or release constraint between the slider and the corner.In the ninth embodiment, the foldable playard disposes the latchingmechanism on one member of the X-typed frame, and the latching mechanismcan be engaged with another member of the X-typed frame to constrainrotation of the X-typed frame and the movement of the slider relative tothe bar member. In conclusion, the latching mechanism of the presentinvention can provide a simple and easy-to-operate function for thefoldable playard, and the latching mechanism can provide a safe andeffective operation for folding and unfolding the foldable playard.

These and other objectives of the present invention will no doubt becomeobvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiment that isillustrated in the various figures and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a foldable playard in an unfolded mode accordingto a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a part of the foldable playard in a locking modeaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a part of the foldable playard in an unlockingmode according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a part of the unlocked foldable playard switchedto a parallel mode according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a part of the foldable playard in the lockingmode according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a part of the foldable playard in the unlockingmode according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a part of the foldable playard in the lockingmode according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a part of the foldable playard in the unlockingmode according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a part of the foldable playard according to afourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of the foldable playard according to a fifthembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an exploded diagram of a part of the foldable playardaccording to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a lateral view of the part of the foldable playard in thelocking mode according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a lateral view of the part of the foldable playard in theunlocking mode according to the fifth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of the foldable playard according to a sixthembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram of a part of the foldable playard in the lockingmode according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram of a part of the foldable playard in the unlockingmode according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram of a part of the unlocked foldable playard switchedto the parallel mode according to the sixth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram of the foldable playard according to a seventhembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram of a part of the foldable playard in the lockingmode according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram of a part of the foldable playard in the unlockingmode according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a diagram of the foldable playard according to an eighthembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a diagram of a part of the foldable playard according to theeighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a diagram of a part of the foldable playard according to aninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a diagram of the foldable playard in a parallel modeaccording to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Please refer to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 . FIG. 1 is a diagram of a foldableplayard 10 in an unfolded mode according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 are diagrams of a part of thefoldable playard 10 in different operation modes according to the firstembodiment of the present invention. The foldable playard 10 can beassembled with textile products to form an enclosed space, to provide aprotected playground for a child. The foldable playard 10 can include aplurality of vertical tubes 12, a plurality of X-typed frames 14 and alatching mechanism 16. Each vertical tube 12 can include a bar member18, a corner 20 and a slider 22. The corner 20 and a slider 22 can beparts of the vertical tube 12, or can be represented as elementsindependent of the vertical tube 12.

The corner 20 can be affixed to top of the bar member 18. The slider 22can be movably disposed on the bar member 18. Each X-typed frame 14 caninclude an inner member 24 and an outer member 26 crossed to each other,and rotatably connected between two adjacent vertical tubes 12 via thecorner 20 and the slider 22. The foldable playard 10 can be switchedbetween the unfolded mode and a parallel mode (which means a foldedmold). The foldable playard 10 in the parallel mode can be shown infollowing FIG. 24 As shown in FIG. 1 , if the slider 22 is upward movedclose to the corner 20, the inner member 24 and the outer member 26 areset as an X-typed form, and the foldable playard 10 can be fixed in theunfolded mode to provide the protected playground. If the slider 22 isdownward moved relative to the bar member 18, the inner member 24 isrotated in a clockwise direction and the outer member 26 is rotated in acounterclockwise direction, and therefore the bar member 18, the innermember 24 and the outer member 26 can be nearly parallel, so thefoldable playard 10 can be fixed in the parallel mode.

As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 , the latching mechanism 16 can include alatch body 28, a locking portion 30, a releasing portion 32 and alead-in portion 34. The latch body 28 can include a first end 281 and asecond end 282 opposite to each other. The first end 281 can be disposedon the corner 20 of the vertical tube 12 via pivoting connection orrigid connection. In a possible situation, the first end 281 may beoptionally disposed on an upper section of the vertical tube 12, such astop of the bar member 18. The locking portion 30 can be disposed on thesecond end 282, and used to engage with and disengage from the X-typedframe 14 in a detachable manner when the latch body 28 is pressed orbent. For example, the latch body 28 can be bent in a first direction D1to disengage the locking portion 30 from the X-typed frame 14, such as alocking mode in FIG. 2 to an unlocking mode in FIG. 3 ; the latch body28 can be pressed in a second direction D2 to engage the locking portionwith the X-typed frame 14, such as the unlocking mode in FIG. 3 to thelocking mode in FIG. 2 . The releasing portion 32 can be disposed on thesecond end 282 and adjacent to the locking portion 30, and be pressed byan external force to bend the latch body 28 for disengaging the lockingportion 30 from the X-typed frame 14. The lead-in portion 34 can beconnected to the locking portion 30, and used to slidably contactagainst the X-typed frame 14 when the X-typed frame 14 is upward movedrelative to the vertical tube 12 via the slider 22, for guiding thelatch body 28 bent and deformed, so as to lock the latching mechanism 16with the X-typed frame 14.

In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 , the latch body 28can be a flexible latch affixed to the corner 20. The latch body 28 canbe deformed and bent to actuate engagement and disengagement of thelocking portion 30 and the X-typed frame 14. Besides, the lockingportion 30 can be an arc structure, and a dimension (such as radianmeasure) of the arc structure can be similar to a diameter (such as theradian measure) of the X-typed frame 14; therefore, the latchingmechanism 16 can be engaged with the X-typed frame 14 in a tight fitmanner and still can be easily disengaged from the X-typed frame 14 bypressing the releasing portion 32 and bending the latch body 28. Afterthe latching mechanism 16 is disengaged from the X-typed frame 14, theslider 22 can be downward moved relative to the bar member 18, so as torotate the inner member 24 and the outer member 26 of the X-typed frame14 into the nearly parallel mode, and the foldable playard 10 can befolded for easy storage. If the foldable playard 10 is prepared tounfold, the slider 22 can be upward moved relative to the bar member 18,and the lead-in portion 34 can guide the locking portion 30 of thelatching mechanism 16 to lock with the X-typed frame 14, so that motionof the X-typed frame 14 relative to the vertical tube 12 is constrained,and the foldable playard 10 can be fixed in the unfolded mode.

It should be mentioned that the foldable playard 10 has no separate toprail that is parallel to the ground when the foldable playard 10 is inthe unfolded mode. The X-typed frame 14 is disposed on an upper sectionof the vertical tubes 12, and thus the inner member 24 and the outermember 26 can be optionally served as the top rail.

Please refer to FIG. 1 , FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 . FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 arediagrams of a part of the foldable playard 10 in different operationmodes according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In thesecond embodiment, elements having the same numerals have the samestructures and functions as the first embodiment, and a detaileddescription is omitted herein for simplicity. In this second embodiment,the latching mechanism 16 of the second embodiment can include thelocking portion 30′ shaped as a hook structure, and the hook structureis used to hold a bottom surface of the X-typed frame 14. A taperunderneath the hook structure can be set as the releasing portion 32 ofthe latching mechanism 16 in the second embodiment, and a lateralsurface of the taper adjacent to the X-typed frame 14 can be set as thelead-in portion 34 of the latching mechanism 16. Operation of foldingand unfolding the foldable playard 10 in the second embodiment issimilar to the foldable playard 10 in the first embodiment, and adetailed description is omitted herein for simplicity.

Please refer to FIG. 1 , FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 . FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 arediagrams of a part of the foldable playard 10 in different operationmodes according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In thethird embodiment, elements having the same numerals have the samestructures and functions as the foresaid embodiments, and a detaileddescription is omitted herein for simplicity. The latching mechanism 16of the third embodiment does not clip the X-typed frame 14 (which meansthe first embodiment) nor buckle the X-typed frame 14 (which means thesecond embodiment). In this third embodiment, the latching mechanism 16of the third embodiment can include the locking portion 30″ having afirst locking structure 36, and the X-typed frame 14 can include asecond locking structure 38 accordingly. The first locking structure 36can lock with the second locking structure 38 in a detachable manner forconstraining a relative movement between the vertical tube 12 and theX-typed frame 14. The first locking structure 36 and the second lockingstructure 38 respectively can be a cavity and an extrusion. Theextrusion inserts into the cavity to constrain a relative movementbetween the latching mechanism 16 and the X-typed frame 14. The latchingmechanism 16 can be pressed and deformed by the external force, toseparate the extrusion from the cavity, and then the X-typed frame 14can be moved relative to the vertical tube 12 and the latching mechanism16 freely. Structures of the first locking structure 36 and the secondlocking structure 38 can be designed according to the design demand; forexample, the first locking structure 36 and the second locking structure38 can be circular forms, hexagonal forms or oval forms. Operation offolding and unfolding the foldable playard 10 in the third embodiment issimilar to the foldable playard 10 in the foresaid embodiment, and adetailed description is omitted herein for simplicity.

Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 9 . FIG. 9 is a diagram of a part of thefoldable playard 10 according to a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention. In the fourth embodiment, elements having the same numeralshave the similar structures and functions to the foresaid embodiments,and a detailed description is omitted herein for simplicity. Forexample, the lead-in portion 34 has an inclined surface capable ofslidably abutting against the X-typed frame 14 to deform the latch body28′, and the second locking structure 38 can be the extrusion forinserting into the first locking structure 36 designed as the cavity. Inthis fourth embodiment, the latching mechanism 16 of the fourthembodiment can include the latch body 28′ designed as a rotatable latch,and the rotatable latch can be pivoted to the corner 20 of the verticaltube 12; further, the latching mechanism 16 may include the lockingportion 30A designed as a crook structure. The crook structure may havetwo parts connected to each other in a bending manner; two oppositelateral surfaces of the member of the X-typed frames 14 are clipped bythe two parts, and a bottom surface of the member of the X-typed frames14 is held by connection between the two parts. The latch body 28′ canbe rotated relative to the corner 20 in a clockwise direction R1 or in acounterclockwise direction R2, and the locking portion 30A can catch orbe separated from the X-typed frame 14 accordingly, so as to constrainor allow the relative movement between the vertical tube 12 and theX-typed frame 14. In the fourth embodiment, the latch body 28′ ispreferably rotated in the clockwise direction R1; however, if there isan adequate gap between the latch body 28′ and the vertical tube 12 (bychanging a shape of the latch body 28′ or the corner 20 or the slider22), the latch body 28′ can be rotated in the counterclockwise directionR2 for engagement and disengagement. Besides, a fixing component (suchas a rivet, a blot or a screw) can be optionally set to connect thelatch body 28′ and the corner 20, and an interval may exist between thelatch body 28′ and the corner 20 accordingly. Operation of folding andunfolding the foldable playard 10 in the fourth embodiment is similar tothe foldable playard 10 in the foresaid embodiment, and a detaileddescription is omitted herein for simplicity.

As shown in FIG. 9 , it should be mentioned that the latching mechanism16 and the X-typed frame 14 in the fourth embodiment may optionallyutilize the extrusion and the cavity for engagement and disengagement,such as the third embodiment; however, an actual application for theengagement and the disengagement is not limited to the foresaid means.

Please refer to FIG. 10 to FIG. 13 and FIG. 24 . FIG. 10 is a diagram ofthe foldable playard 10′ according to a fifth embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 11 is an exploded diagram of a part of the foldableplayard 10′ according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are lateral views of the part of the foldableplayard 10′ in different operation modes according to the fifthembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 24 is a diagram of thefoldable playard 10′ in the parallel mode according to the fifthembodiment of the present invention. In the fifth embodiment, elementshaving the same numerals have the same structures and functions as theforesaid embodiments, and a detailed description is omitted herein forsimplicity. The foldable playard 10′ can include the plurality ofvertical tubes 12, the plurality of X-typed frames 14 and the latchingmechanism 16′. The latching mechanism 16′ can be disposed on a crossedsection of the X-typed frame 14. A thickness of the latching mechanism16′ preferably can be similar to an overlapped dimension of the innermember 24 and the outer member 26, so that an outward appearance of thefoldable playard 10′ can be flattened in the unfolded mode and theparallel mode.

As shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 13 , the latching mechanism 16′ can includea first housing 40, a second housing 42, a locking gear 44 and aresilient component 46. The first housing 40 can have a first engagingportion 48 and a first locking portion 50. The first engaging portion 48can be a sunken structure formed on an edge of the first housing 40 andused to engage with the outer member 26. The first locking portion 50(which is shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 ) can be a cavity structureformed inside a main body of the first housing 40 and used to lock withthe locking gear 44. The second housing 42 can be rotatably assembledwith the first housing 40, and have a second engaging portion 52 used toengage with the inner member 24. The second engaging portion 52 can bethe sunken structure formed on an edge of the second housing 42, whichmay be similar to the first engaging portion 48.

The locking gear 44 can be movably disposed between the first housing 40and the second housing 42. The locking gear 44 can have a second lockingportion 54, and the second locking portion 54 can be designed as aprotruding structure fitted with the cavity structure of the firstlocking portion 50. The inner member 24 and the outer member 26 can bedisposed between the first housing 40 and the locking gear 44. The innermember 24 can be rotated relative to the outer member 26 when the secondlocking portion 54 is separated from the first locking portion 50 toallow rotation between the first housing 40 and the locking gear 44, andthe inner member 24 cannot be rotated relative to the outer member 26when the second locking portion 54 inserts into the first lockingportion 50. The resilient component 46 can be disposed between thesecond housing 42 and the locking gear 44. The resilient component 46can be a compression spring. A resilient recovering force of theresilient component 46 can push the locking gear 44 toward the firsthousing 40, for keeping engagement of the first locking portion 50 andthe second locking portion 54.

The latching mechanism 16′ may have a releasing portion 56 movablydisposed on the first housing 40, and a protrusion 58 of the releasingportion 56 can be detachably inserted into a hole 60 on the firsthousing 40. If the releasing portion 56 is moved into a concave portionof the first housing 40, the protrusion 58 can inset into the hole 60 topush the second locking portion 54 away from the first locking portion50, and then the locking gear 44 can be rotated relative to the firsthousing 40, so that the inner member 24 can be rotated relative to theouter member 26. If an external force applied to the releasing portion56 is removed, the resilient recovering force of the resilient component46 can push the locking gear 44 to lock the second locking portion 54with the first locking portion 50, and then the protrusion 58 can beremoved from the hole 60, so that the releasing portion 56 can bedeparted from the concave portion of the first housing 40.

When the first locking portion 50 and the second locking portion 54 areunlocked, the inner member 24 and the outer member 26 can be pivoted viaassembly of the first housing 40 and the second housing 42, and theslider 22 can be slid downward for preparing to fold or unfold thefoldable playard 10. If the slider 22 is slid upward to pivot the innermember 24 and the outer member 26, the second housing 42 and the lockinggear 44 can be rotated relative to the first housing 40; if the secondlocking portion 54 aligns with the first locking portion 50, theresilient component 46 can push the second locking portion 54 of thelocking gear 44 to lock with the first locking portion 50 of the firsthousing 40, so as to constrain the relative rotation between the innermember 24 and the outer member 26, and the foldable playard 10 can befixed in the unfolded mode.

Please refer to FIG. 14 to FIG. 17 . FIG. 14 is a diagram of thefoldable playard 10″ according to a sixth embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 15 to FIG. 17 are diagrams of a part of the foldableplayard 10″ in different operation modes according to the sixthembodiment of the present invention. In the sixth embodiment, elementshaving the same numerals have the same structures and functions as theforesaid embodiments, and a detailed description is omitted herein forsimplicity. The foldable playard 10″ can include the plurality ofvertical tubes 12, the plurality of X-typed frames 14 and the latchingmechanism 16″. The latching mechanism 16″ can be disposed on connectionbetween the X-typed frame 14 and the slider 22.

As shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 , the latching mechanism 16″ can includea latch body 62, an actuator 64 and a resilient component 66. Theresilient component 66 can be a compression spring. The latch body 62can be movably disposed on the X-typed frame 14, such as inside themember of the X-typed frame 14. The actuator 64 can be coupled to thelatch body 62 and slidably disposed on the X-typed frame 14. When theactuator 64 is pushed relative to the member of the X-typed frame 14 bythe external force or a resilient recovering force of the resilientcomponent 66, the latch body 62 can be moved simultaneously. Theresilient component 66 can be disposed between the X-typed frame 14 andthe latch body 62. The resilient recovering force of the resilientcomponent 66 can push the latch body 62 to engage with a cavity 68formed on the bar member 18 of the vertical tube 12. The actuator 64 canbe moved backward relative to the bar member 18 by the external force todisengage the latch body 62 from the cavity 68 of the bar member 18, andthe resilient component 66 can be compressed to store the resilientrecovering force; meanwhile, the X-typed frame 14 can be rotatedrelative to the vertical tube 12 for folding the foldable playard 10″.

As shown in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 , the X-typed frame 14 can be pivoted tothe slider 22 of the vertical tube 12 via a shaft 70, and the latch body62 can have a track 72 assembled with the shaft 70 in a slidable androtatable manner. Assembly of the shaft 70 and the track 72 can allowrotation of the X-typed frame 14 and the latching mechanism 16″ relativeto the slider 22 of the vertical tube 12. Therefore, the latch body 62can protrude from the X-typed frame 14 and insert into the cavity 68 ofthe bar member 18 for constraining rotation between the vertical tube 12and the X-typed frame 14, and the foldable playard 10″ can be fixed inthe unfolded mode. If the latch body 62 is separated from the cavity 68and disposed inside the member of the X-typed frame 14, the X-typedframe 14 can be rotated relative to the vertical tube 12 for folding thefoldable playard 10″.

Please refer to FIG. 18 to FIG. 20 . FIG. 18 is a diagram of thefoldable playard 10″ according to a seventh embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 are diagrams of a part of the foldableplayard 10″ in different operation modes according to the seventhembodiment of the present invention. In the seventh embodiment, elementshaving the same numerals have the same structures and functions as theforesaid embodiments, and a detailed description is omitted herein forsimplicity. The foldable playard 10″ can include the latching mechanism16″ disposed on the connection between the X-typed frame 14 and theslider 22. The latching mechanism 16″ can include a latch body 74, alocking portion 76 and a releasing portion 78.

The latch body 74 can be affixed to the X-typed frame 14 and rotatablyassembled with the slider 22 of the vertical tube 12. The lockingportion 76 can be stretched from the latch body 74, and the releasingportion 78 can be disposed on a front end of the locking portion 76.Besides, a notch 80 can be formed on a bottom surface 221 of the slider22. As shown in FIG. 19 , the latch body 74 can be rotated in theclockwise direction to engage the locking portion 76 with the notch 80of the slider 22, so that the X-typed frame 14 cannot be rotatedrelative to the vertical tube 12 for fixing the foldable playard 10″ inthe unfolded mode. As shown in FIG. 20 , the releasing portion 78 can bepressed by the external force to bend the latch body 74, so the lockingportion 76 is flexible and can be deformed to disengage from the notch80 of the slider 22, and the X-typed frame 14 can be rotated relative tothe vertical tube 12 in the counterclockwise direction for folding thefoldable playard 10″.

Please refer to FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 . FIG. 21 is a diagram of thefoldable playard 10A according to an eighth embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 22 is a diagram of a part of the foldable playard 10Aaccording to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. In theeighth embodiment, elements having the same numerals have the samestructures and functions as the foresaid embodiments, and a detaileddescription is omitted herein for simplicity. The foldable playard 10Acan include the latching mechanism 16A disposed on the slider 22 andused to engage with the corner 20 of the vertical tube 12.

The latching mechanism 16A can include a latch body 82, a lockingportion 84 and a releasing portion 86. The latch body 82 can have afirst end 821 and a second end 822 opposite to each other. The first end821 can be affixed to the slider 22 of the vertical tube 12, and thesecond end 822 can be a free end of the latch body 82. The lockingportion 84 can be disposed on the second end 822 and used to assemblewith a locked portion 88 disposed on the corner 20. The releasingportion 86 can be disposed on the second end 822 and connected to thelocking portion 84. As shown in FIG. 22 , the locking portion 84 can bedesigned as a notch and the locked portion 88 can be designed as aprotrusion engaged with the foresaid notch; however, the locking portion84 may be shaped as the protrusion and the locked portion 88 may beshaped as the notch, which depends on design demand.

As shown in FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 , when the locking portion 84 is lockedwith the locked portion 88, the slider 22 cannot be slid downward, andthe inner member 24 and the outer member 26 cannot be rotated relativeto each other, so the foldable playard 10A can be fixed in the unfoldedmode. If the releasing portion 86 is pressed by the external force tobend and deform the latch body 82, the locking portion 84 can beseparated from the locked portion 88, and the slider 22 can be sliddownward, and the inner member 24 can be rotated relative to the outermember 26 into the nearly parallel mode, so as to fold the foldableplayard 10A.

Please refer to FIG. 23 . FIG. 23 is a diagram of a part of the foldableplayard 10 according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. Inthe ninth embodiment, elements having the same numerals have the samestructures and functions as the foresaid embodiments, and a detaileddescription is omitted herein for simplicity. The foldable playard 10can include the plurality of vertical tubes 12, the plurality of X-typedframes 14 and a latching mechanism 16B. The latching mechanism 16B caninclude a latch body 28B, the locking portion 30, the releasing portion32 and the lead-in portion 34. The latch body 28B can include a firstend 281B and a second end 282B opposite to each other. The first end281B can be disposed on the inner member 24 of one X-typed frame 14. Thelocking portion 30 can be disposed on the second end 282B, and used toengage with the outer member 26 of the X-typed frame 14 in a detachablemanner. As the external force is applied to the releasing portion 32,the latch body 28 can be bent to disengage the locking portion 30 fromthe outer member 26, and the slider 22 can be downward slid to fold thefoldable playard 10. As the slider 22 is slid upward relative to the barmember 18, the lead-in portion 34 can push and bend the latch body 28B,so as to align the locking portion 30 with the outer member 26; then,the locking portion 30 can be pressed to lock with the outer member 26,for fixing the foldable playard 10 in the unfolded mode.

Structural relation between the vertical tube and the X-typed frame inthe unfolded mode and the parallel mode shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 24 aresuitable for all embodiments of the foldable playard in the presentinvention. Arrangement of the latching mechanism of each embodiment canbe different from the latching mechanism of other embodiments inaccordance with the design demand. In the first embodiment, the foldableplayard disposes the latching mechanism on the corner of the verticaltube, and the latching mechanism can be bent and deformed to utilize thearc structure of the locking portion to engage with and disengage fromthe X-typed frame. In the second embodiment, the foldable playarddisposes the latching mechanism on the corner of the vertical tube forengaging with and disengaging from the X-typed frame; however, thelocking portion of the latching mechanism can be shaped as the hookstructure, rather than the arc structure in the first embodiment. In thethird embodiment, the foldable playard disposes the latching mechanismon the corner of the vertical tube for engaging with and disengagingfrom the X-typed frame, and the latch body of the latching mechanism canbe bent and deformed to engage with and disengage from the lockingportion and the X-typed frame, which means the cavity of the lockingportion can lock or unlock the extrusion of the X-typed frame.

In the fourth embodiment, the foldable playard disposes the latchingmechanism on the corner of the vertical tube, and the latch body of thelatching mechanism can be rotated and utilize the crook structure of thelocking portion to engage with and disengage from the X-typed frame. Inthe fifth embodiment, the foldable playard disposes the latchingmechanism on the X-typed frame, to lock and unlock rotation between theinner member and the outer member of the X-typed frame, so as to unfoldand fold the foldable playard. In the sixth embodiment, the foldableplayard disposes the latching mechanism on the X-typed frame forengaging with and disengaging from the vertical tube, and the latch bodyof the latching mechanism is slidably disposed inside the X-typed frame.

In the seventh embodiment, the foldable playard disposes the latchingmechanism on the X-typed frame for engaging with and disengaging fromthe vertical tube, and the latch body of the latching mechanism isrotatably disposed on the X-typed frame. In the eighth embodiment, thefoldable playard disposes the latching mechanism on the slider forengaging with and disengaging from the corner of the vertical tube, soas to constrain or release constraint between the slider and the corner.In the ninth embodiment, the foldable playard disposes the latchingmechanism on one member of the X-typed frame, and the latching mechanismcan be engaged with another member of the X-typed frame to constrainrotation of the X-typed frame and the movement of the slider relative tothe bar member. In conclusion, the latching mechanism of the presentinvention can provide a simple and easy-to-operate function for thefoldable playard, and the latching mechanism can provide a safe andeffective operation for folding and unfolding the foldable playard.

Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerousmodifications and alterations of the device and method may be made whileretaining the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the abovedisclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and boundsof the appended claims.

1. A foldable playard, comprising: a plurality of vertical tubes, atleast one vertical tube comprising: a bar member; a corner affixed totop of the bar member; and a slider movably disposed on the bar member;a plurality of X-typed frames, each of the X-typed frames beingrotatably connected between two adjacent vertical tubes via the slider,the plurality of X-typed frames and the plurality of vertical tubesmovable between an unfolded mode and a parallel mode; and a latchingmechanism, comprising: a latch body assembled with the slider of the atleast one vertical tube, a locking portion, the locking portion beingadapted to engage in the unfolded mode and disengage in the parallelmode, the locking portion being configured to disengage in response todeformation of the latch body.
 2. The foldable playard of claim 1,wherein the locking portion is configured to engage with the corner ofthe vertical tube in the unfolded mode and disengage from the corner inthe parallel mode.
 3. The foldable playard of claim 1, the latch body ofthe latch mechanism further comprising a first end and a second endopposite to each other, wherein the first end is affixed to the sliderof the at least one vertical tube, and the locking portion is disposedon the second end.
 4. The foldable playard of claim 3, wherein thelatching mechanism further comprises a releasing portion disposed on thesecond end and adapted to be applied by an external force for bendingthe latch body.
 5. The foldable playard of claim 3, wherein the cornercomprises a locked portion matched with the locking portion of thelatching mechanism, the locking portion is a notch and the lockedportion is a protrusion, or the locking portion is the protrusion andthe locked portion is the notch.
 6. The foldable playard of claim 1,comprising: wherein the latch body is affixed to one X-typed frame androtatably assembled with the slider of one vertical tube, and whereinthe locking portion is adapted to engage with and disengage from theslider in response to rotation of the latch body relative to the slider.7. The foldable playard of claim 1, wherein the locking portion isstretchable from the latch body.
 8. The foldable playard of claim 1,wherein the latching mechanism further comprises a releasing portiondisposed on the locking portion and adapted to be applied by an externalforce for deforming the locking portion.
 9. The foldable playard ofclaim 1, wherein a notch is formed on a bottom surface of the slider,and the locking portion is flexible to engage with and disengage fromthe notch.
 10. A foldable playard, comprising: a plurality of verticaltubes, each vertical tube comprising: a bar member; a corner affixed totop of the bar member; and a slider movably disposed on the bar member;a plurality of X-typed frames, each of the X-typed frames beingrotatably connected between two adjacent vertical tubes via the cornerand the slider; and a latching mechanism, comprising: a latch body,comprising a first end and a second end opposite to each other, thefirst end being affixed to the slider of one vertical tube; and alocking portion disposed on the second end, the locking portion beingadapted to engage with and disengage from the corner of the saidvertical tube in response to deformation of the latch body.
 11. Thefoldable playard of claim 10, wherein the latching mechanism furthercomprises a releasing portion disposed on the second end and adapted tobe applied by an external force for bending the latch body.
 12. Thefoldable playard of claim 10, wherein the corner comprises a lockedportion matched with the locking portion of the latching mechanism, thelocking portion is a notch and the locked portion is a protrusion, orthe locking portion is the protrusion and the locked portion is thenotch.
 13. A foldable playard, comprising: a plurality of verticaltubes, each vertical tube comprising: a bar member; a corner affixed totop of the bar member; and a slider movably disposed on the bar member;a plurality of X-typed frames, each of the X-typed frames beingrotatably connected between two adjacent vertical tubes via the cornerand the slider; and a latching mechanism, comprising: a latch bodymovably disposed on one X-typed frame and adapted to engage with anddisengage from a cavity formed on the bar member of one vertical tube;and an actuator coupled to the latch body and disposed on the X-typedframe and adapted to be actuated by an external force for moving thelatch body relative to the bar member.
 14. The foldable playard of claim13, wherein the latching mechanism further comprises a resilientcomponent, two ends of the resilient component are respectivelyconnected to the X-typed frame and the latch body.
 15. The foldableplayard of claim 13, wherein the said X-typed frame is pivoted to theslider of the said vertical tube via a shaft, the latch body comprises atrack assembled with the shaft in a slidable and rotatable manner. 16.The foldable playard of claim 13, wherein the latch body is protrudedfrom the said X-typed frame to insert into the cavity, and is disposedinside the said X-typed frame to separate from the cavity.